Evolution of place-names

[ulvesang]

Even though nations and peoples may disappear and transition with time, oftentimes their names remain-- if even in an archaic, etymological reference. However, we sometimes take this for granted. Could these areas now so-labelled be legitimately referred to using the "old" name?

• The place-name "Vietnam" is derived from the Viet peoples, who

Comments

[kroki_refur]

Hmmm, there is some confusion here between national boundaries and languages/cultures. For example, what is now Latvia used to be called Livonia, and was occupied in large part by people speaking Livonian, or Liivi. That doesn't mean that people who identify as present-day ethnic Latvians are in any sense Livonian, although present-day ethnic Livonians may have modern Latvian citizenship. Similarly, Iranian citizens may not all consider themselves to be culturally Iranian, and may prefer to call themselves Persian, although there is no longer a nation-state with this name. In contrast, the island of Britain has kept the name of the people who once made up the majority of the population, but that doesn't mean that the people and cultures who now live there speak "British" (although one could make an argument for Welsh speakers).

As for Colombia versus British Columbia, they're both named after Columbus, and if I had to guess I would say the latter is named in contrast to the former. Sort of like saying "British America".

Words mean different things at different times. It's fine for someone from Latin America to call themselves Latin, since this is an accepted term; furthermore, it does have something to do with a Latin culture, in that the "Latin" term is in contrast to the assumed "Germanicness" (English-speaking cultural identity) of the USA and Canada.

Hmmm, yes. Some rather rambly thoughts. Oh well.

[sollersuk]

that doesn't mean that the people and cultures who now live there speak "British" (although one could make an argument for Welsh speakers).

Absolutely!

(mind you, I prefer either "Cambrian" or "Cymric", if people can't manage "Cymro/Cymres")

[kjell_bjarne]

sorry to sound utterly stupid, but I've never seen the word "Cymric" before. How would that be pronounced? thanks in advance.

[sollersuk]

"Kumrik", strictly speaking, but "kimrik" is acceptable ("c" in Welsh always sounds "k" and in words derived from "Cymru" "y" represents a sort of schwa sound.